NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The new archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, is asking Catholics not to fall prey to the political polarization that has overtaken the country.
Archbishop Joseph Tobin made his first public comments Monday after being chosen to replace Archbishop John Myers, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Tobin says he was surprised when he returned to the U.S. after being away since the 1990s by what he termed the “red-state, blue-state stuff” he saw in the country.
He stressed Monday he was “not going to tell people who to vote for,” but added Catholics need to be true to themselves and their faith by helping “bring the country together.”
He said Catholics need to remember to talk to each other and listen to each other regardless of differences.
